Igbo Speaking Community’s BOT Certifies Eze Alex Nwoye As Ezendigbo Of Ejigbo LCDA

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The Board of Trustees of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State, led by Dr Jonathan Nnaji, may have kicked off the move to sanitize the stool of  Ezendigbo in various LCDAs following the certification of Eze Alex Sunday Nwoye as the leader and Ezendigbo in Ejigbo LCDA. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the recertification of the Ezeship crowned by the Igbo Speaking Community was the outcome of the stakeholders meeting held by the BOT at their secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.

The critical stakeholders including, BOT,  Ndieze, leaders of the community across the LCDAs, men and women had a meeting where it was resolved on the need to unite all the factions of Igbo Speaking Community including Ndieze in Lagos State.

By the decision, any Ezendigbo that is not reconfirmed by the BOT has automatically lost the position in the LCDA and will not be recognized as Eze by the Igbo Speaking community.

The BOT Chairman, Dr Nnaji, was received by Eze Nwoye and some members of his cabinet Chiefs, who were in attendance to witness the presentation of the certificate issued by the BOT.

During the event, Dr Nnaji explained that the decision to reconfirm Ezendigbo in various LCDAs that was crowned by Igbo Speaking community, was to know actually who they are and to create their file for record purposes because every Eze recognized by the BOT has his file record.

He explained that the Igbo Speaking Community has standard procedures of crowning Ezendigbo in Lagos State, which must involve the consent of such person’s traditional ruler from his home town.

He noted that the Igbo Speaking Community was engrossed in crises over the years and two factions emerged, led by Chief Sunday Udeh and Chief Sunday Eze. And there was Police and Court involvement before the parties involved realized their mistakes and called for peace and it was agreed for peaceful resolution through awaiting Court consent judgment.

He explained that it was the spirit of peace and reconciliation that led to harmonization of both Ezendigbo crowned by Udeh and Eze factions to bring them under one Council of Ndieze led by Eze James Agbowodike Nwalozie.

He stated that the BOT decided to recognize Ezendigbo crowned by both factions on condition that such Eze must be recertified by the BOT and they have commenced the process.

On the fate of those not confirmed by the BOT,  Dr Nnaji stated that such Eze will not be recognized by the BOT and by extension the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State.

Dr Nnaji also used the opportunity to refute the claims that he was the only member of the BOT of the Igbo Speaking Community. He explained that the BOT is still intact and they still communicate and have their meetings, stating that about eight of out of 15 of them were no longer alive and once the Court issue is resolved, the vacant position on the BOT will be filled and Igbo Speaking Community election will be also conducted.

He assured that the BOT is working towards a united and indivisible Igbo Speaking Community, whose primary concern is the interest of Ndigbo and to protect their cultural heritage.

On his part, Eze Nwoye thanked the BOT for coming and presenting the certificate to him as a testament that he was recognized and followed normal procedure before he was crowned Ezendigbo in Ejigbo LCDA.

He explained that he has been championing for a united and indivisible Igbo Speaking community and Council of Ndieze in Lagos State, which will make Ndigbo to speak with one voice on matters that affect them.

He assured the BOT that he will be preaching peace and a united Igbo Speaking community and Council of Ndieze until it is achieved in Lagos State.

Some of the cabinet chiefs, who spoke, commended the efforts of the BOT to bring peace and unite Igbo Speaking community and Council of Ndieze in Lagos State.

The Council members who attended the event included, Chief J.C.Ndudim, Chief (Bar Emeka Ukachi, Chief Dr Celestine Chukwunonye, Chief Ike Agina, Chief C.F.C.Obi, Chief Mathias Onwuzombe, Mazi Charles, Sheriff Odum, Chief Omoba and Chief Chidera of Today’s Exclusive hotel.